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2019 | Book

Porcelain to Silica Bricks

The Extreme Ceramics of William Weston Young (1776-1847)

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About this book

The title of this book describes the two extremes of ceramic invention from aesthetically beautiful and decorative works of art that graced the tables of the aristocracy to the functional silica brick that lined the smelting furnaces of industrialised nations in the 19th century designed to produce iron, copper and glass. Both of these ceramics are linked to one man, William Weston Young (1776-1847) and with his contemporaries both of these ceramic extremes became world leaders in their own right. The book traces the history of Young and his ambitions, his interactions with numerous associates and the influence these ceramics attained in 19th century society.

The book provides a sequel to the two preceding texts on Nantgarw and Swansea porcelains (also published by Springer), which cover one extreme and extends the discourse onto the other extreme, which until now has been relatively ignored despite its scientific and engineering importance. The trilogy has now therefore been completed. This book examines the historical documentation along with scientific analytical data from the last 100 years up to the present in a novel holistic forensic approach.

It will be of interest to porcelain collectors, ceramics analysts, museum ceramic curators, ceramic historians, analytical scientists, cultural heritage preservation, industrial archaeologists and industrial museums.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter
Chapter 1. Introduction
Abstract
The life and times of the late 18th and early 19th Century into which William Weston Young was born. Review of earlier literature and setting out the scope of this book with the two main themes of fine porcelain and the refractory silica brick.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 2. William Weston Young: His Life
Abstract
The development of William Weston Young’s interests in ceramics with Lewis Dillwyn, decoration and manufacture of pottery and porcelain, his support of the efforts of Billingsley and Walker at the Nantgarw China Works, his association with Thomas Pardoe, other ventures, and finally his creation of the Dinas refractory brick.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 3. The William Weston Young Diaries
Abstract
A description of the written records of William Weston Young’s activities as revealed in his Diaries, which although incomplete give much information for research into the chronology of events and his association with key partners in his business.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 4. Thomas Pardoe
Abstract
An account of William Weston Young’s interaction with Pardoe from their early days at the Swansea Pottery to their final partnership at the Nantgarw China Works.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 5. Samuel Walker
Abstract
The interaction between William Weston Young and Samuel Walker from their earliest days at the Nantgarw China Works through the Memorial of September 1814 and finally to the phase II of the re-establishment of porcelain production at Nantgarw until the departure of Walker first for Coalport in 1820 and thereafter for the USA.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 6. Lewis Weston Dillwyn
Abstract
The role of Lewis Dillwyn in shaping the early career of William Weston Young and his later influence on Young through the Swansea China Works and especially his interactions with William Billingsley and Samuel Walker, and thereby impacting upon Young at the Nantgarw China Works.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 7. William Billingsley
Abstract
The influence of William Billingsley and his objective of creating the world’s finest porcelain at the Nantgarw China Works on William Weston Young: the support of Young for Billingsley at Nantgarw and the actions of Young following Billingsley’s departure for the Coalport China Works in 1820.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 8. The Dinas Refractory Silica Brick
Abstract
From an historical introduction to brickmaking, the development of the Dinas refractory silica brick, its creation by William Weston Young and its usage in blast furnaces and ore smelting in the industrial revolution is reviewed. The singular properties of silica bricks and the interpretation of their properties from chemical analyses are discussed.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 9. The Nantgarw Porcelain Body
Abstract
The composition and formulation of the Nantgarw china body and incorrect recipes given in the literature are discussed against the true composition as revealed by Samuel Walker to Taylor in the 1840s. The role of the components in the high temperature chemistry operating in the kilns is discussed and evaluated against alternative procedures and materials.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 10. The Nantgarw China Works Site and Excavated Porcelain Shards
Abstract
A history of industrial archaeology and the excavation of the Nantgarw China Works site, including the kilns and discovery of the waste pit and the acquisition of porcelain shards.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Chapter 11. Epilogue
Abstract
A review of the discoveries made by William Weston Young and a summary of his influence upon the two extreme ceramic examples of fine porcelain and silica refractory bricks.
Howell G. M. Edwards
Backmatter
Metadata
Title
Porcelain to Silica Bricks
Author
Prof. Howell G.M. Edwards
Copyright Year
2019
Electronic ISBN
978-3-030-10573-0
Print ISBN
978-3-030-10572-3
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10573-0

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